Back Where I Come From....

So I was at the Tim McGraw concert last night and he was singing one of his new songs called Southern Voice and a thought accrued to me. I am so lucky to be a Southerner! I have always said I love living in Alabama but I have never really quantified why. So here are my reasons there is no better place to live and raise a family than the South.

1. The Weather- OK so I don’t necessarily mean the middle of August when it is hotter than Satan’s living room out but there are 2 other times of year that can’t be beat.

Early Spring in the South is beyond gorgeous. The temp outside is Heaven and the Dogwood trees and tulips are in bloom. I can remember walking to class at UA in early April and thinking there is no more beautiful place on Earth.

My other favorite time of year is early Fall. Not just because football season kicks off but, when the leaves on the trees change to those beautiful reds, oranges and golds it is like God took a paint brush and painted the trees for us to enjoy. The warm weather is still around, slightly, and that crisp Fall wind is so invigorating.

2. The People- I consider myself well traveled. I have been a lot of places both in the US and abroad and I have never found a better people than Southerners. Any other place you go in the world you get strange looks or even harsh words when you speak to strangers on the street, but not in the South. It is almost expected for you to at least acknowledge your fellow man when passing by. Do we have our moments of rudeness, sure. But as a whole Southern people are the best in the world.

3. The Passion- Whether it be for our team or our family a Southerner will fight to the death for things they hold dear. Growing up I never questioned what things were important to my parents, God, family, country. They taught me to value those things and defend them always. Southerners have a passion for life that I think is unmatched anywhere else.

4. The Land- I am going to reference Alabama here because that is what I know best. I love the fact that within one state I have mountains and seashore. I cannot wait for my daughter to grow up so I can show her this great state we call home. We can travel north to the tree covered Lookout Mountain or head south to the beautiful white sand beaches of the Gulf Coast. There is so much to explore throughout the South and I can’t wait to share it with my kids.

Being from and living in the South is a different way of life. It’s a slower, kinder way of cherishing everyday. A place where you actually know your neighbors. A place where faith and family is still most important. A place where kids can grow up around nature and enjoy the great outdoors. I truly believe I am Southern by the Grace of God and wouldn’t have it any other way.

PS- Tim’s new song Southern Voice referenced both Scarlet O’Hara and Bear Bryant in one song……..I’m sold!

It’s Championship Monday. Only two remain. Six teams have seen their dreams of a championship dashed upon the rocks. Some people shined while others did not live up to the hype. Here are my Cheers and Jeers at the WCWS.

Cheers
Angela Tincher, Pitcher VA Tech-She is arguably the best pitcher in the nation and it really makes me sad that she her career ended so early in the series. She has amazing movement on her pitches and has become a true leader of the Hokies. She was recently named the USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award and rightly so. I heard about Tincher a few years ago and I hate that the rest of the country only got this small glimpse of her this week.

Amanda Scarborough, Pitcher Texas A&M-Her Senior season was abruptly ended in February when she suffered a mid-foot fracture in her right foot. Rather than wallowing in self-pity and shrinking in her Senior responsibilities, she has stepped up, big time. She and fellow Senior, Pitcher Megan Gibson forged a strong friendship and Scarborough began to work with Gibson teaching her all her skills and helping her become the Aggies new #1. Leadership like that is what makes college athletics so amazing. Scarborough is proof that you can still be a vital part of a team, even without stepping foot onto the field.

Kim Waleszonia, Centerfielder Florida-This story really hit home with me. Kim’s Father, Les was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of the fall semester. Kim had to make the decision, stay at UF or go home to California. Her decision was easy. She went home for the entire fall semester to spend what little time she had left with her Dad. Les Waleszonia passed away in January with his daughter there to say good-bye. Kim then returned to Gainesville to begin her junior season with the Gators. Playing college ball is hard enough with the usual distractions, but I cannot imagine having that kind of burden on you day in and day out. She is a real inspiration and will be a strong Senior leader for the Florida Gators next season. I am sure her Father is very, very proud.

The Ragin’ Cajun fans, Louisiana-Lafayette-No one, and I mean NO ONE expected to see the Ragin’ Cajuns in the World Series. They are a small team, with an even smaller budget. While the other teams were flying to Oklahoma, the Cajuns chartered buses for a12-hour trip! You would think with that kind of distance the fans might not show up, but oh how wrong you would be. The Cajuns came in FULL FORCE. They were some of the largest crowds and defiantly the loudest! They lived up to the Ragin’ Cajun persona. The crowd enthusiasm is one of the great things about softball. These are real fans. They traveled, they were in every pitch and they stood by the girls till the bitter end. I would be proud to be a Ragin’ Cajun.

The Underclassman, from all the teams-The future of college softball is safe in the hands of the outstanding underclassman of the tournament. Not only were they there for support from the dugout, they were vital on the field. From pitchers to power hitter these Freshman and Sophomores made their presence known this week. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for players like, Charlotte Morgan, Kelsi Dunne, Tiffany DeFelice, Ashley Brignac, Kelsey Spittler, Whitney Davis, Samantha Camuso, GiOnna DiSalvatore and Katie Schroeder.


Jeers

The Arizona Wildcats and the UCLA Bruins-It has been 20 years since the WCWS Championship has been decided without one of these two teams. It’s like both these teams were abducted by Pod People. Where was the amazing Taryn Mowat we saw pitch 8 historic games last year? Where was the power hitting Bruins with the best base runners in the game? They were both flat and uninspired. It’s as though they came expecting all the other teams to roll over and die because of their storied past. Better luck next year you two.

Callista Balko, Catcher Arizona Wildcats-When you look at this girl think sweet Mid-Western blonde, who is self-described as Izzy Stevens from Grey’s Anatomy. But don’t turn your back on Balko, because she will slap you silly. As the Wildcats saw their dream of a three-peat running away in the fifth inning against Alabama, Callista Balko had been pushed to the limit. As Charlotte Morgan came toward home Balko was waiting and tagged her out in an easy play at the plate, but it didn’t end there. With the ball in her free hand Balko took her glove hand and blatantly slapped Charlotte Morgan on the back. I can understand that she was frustrated. She is an Arizona Wildcat. They don’t loose in the World Series, especially to Alabama, but that is NO EXCUSE for that kind of behavior. The stands were filled with young girls who idolize those players on the field. What kind of example is that? Shame on you Callista Balko, what would Izzy Stevens think of your behavior?

All the teams who walked Kaitlin Cochran-OK so I know she is an amazing hitter. I know she will make you pay for even the smallest mistake, but come on coaches. You will never convince me that Patrick Murphy’s decision to walk Cochran at the end of the Bama/ ASU game didn’t cost the Tide the win. Even after the ASU coaches moved Cochran to the leadoff spot teams STILL continued to intentionally walk her! An intentional walk to START the game?!?! Give me a break. This girl is a Senior, she deserves to make her last stand, not stand by and watch as team after team chose not to pitch to her. We shall see if the Aggies keep up this charade in the championship series.

Donna Bourgeois and the other foul-mouthed players who forgot they are on NATIONAL TELEVISION-As frustration set in so did the potty mouths of some of the players on the losing end. The most glaring example I saw was when Donna Bourgeois made the run costing throwing error to third in the BAMA/ LA-Lafayette elimination game. As she made her way back to the circle Bourgeois made a mother reference that had nothing to do with the woman who bore her. As a matter of fact I am sure that woman cringed with horror at the foulness coming out of her daughter’s mouth. There were other sporadic instances throughout the series but this one was unmistakable. PEOPLE CAN SEE YOU LADIES! Little girls who look up to you can see you and your dirty sailor mouths. Women’s sports get enough flack for not being as exciting or as athletic as men’s. Don’t give the critics any more fuel by having visible potty mouths on the field. Real ladies show self control at ALL times, save that stuff for the locker room, where there are NO CAMERAS.

Overall this has been one of the best World Series in a long time, and it ain’t over yet. There have been some amazing shows of talent, great upsets, defensive battles and future stars on the rise. I am very hopeful for the future of this game. I think people are beginning to see what I have known for some time, Women’s Fast-pitch Softball is an exciting fast-paced game with some amazing athletes playing in it. Who knows, maybe in 20 years or so my sister and I will be in OK City watching our daughters play. Wait and see…..